The Art of His Life

Sol Levenson is still painting--and thriving--at 95

Muralist Sol Levenson has just painted a woman bending over to pick apples. One minute she is in the foreground and the next, her apple-picking days are over. Levenson decides to white her out of the picture. "She was getting all the attention. In a mural, there must be interest all over," he explains. "Besides, I'm so happy making a mistake. Here's a chance to make it better. When you get so old that you don't know you're making mistakes, then it's time to worry."

Levenson, 95, has no time to worry. He is busy with his current project, a three-panel...